Saturday, March 28, 2009

Welcome to another fruitful and fun year of gardening. April is National Gardening Month. Opening day for the 2009 season is Saturday, April 4, 11:00 - 1:00 P.M., rain or shine! Seeds, starter kits, goodies, registration, and plot assignment. And of course, to start working on your garden. The participation donation is $18. Most gardeners have already contributed.

We expect all volunteers: 1 - monitor garden activity on a regular schedule and 2 - put in a minimum of 2 hours per week to keep your plot growing and looking beautiful. This will improve the overall appearance of the Children's Garden. We ask you to teach your children gardening - to pass your knowledge to the next generation. We ask that you keep the area and path near across from your plot weed-free. Also, remember to allow visitors in the garden for viewing.

Junior Garden Club Some of you were aware of our gardening program for children last spring and fall. The sponsor was Independence Community Bank and Forest/Highland Park Administration. Nancy was the instructor. The program was a success and may return, depending upon funding

We are hoping the Junior Garden Club will have a spring session, May 3rd to June 6, 10 - 12. Registration: April 25, 10 -12. The program consists of a lesson and a hands-on activity. Children with good attendance will receive a participation certificate and gift on the closing session. We hope that gardeners' children will participate. (ages 7 - 12)

The adult Highland Park Garden Club's third season starts on Tuesday, April 7, 10 - 12. The club is FREE to all adults interested in keeping a beautiful garden. (This is not vegetable gardening). All tools and garden accessories will be provided.

Our Third Annual Garden Hoe Down, April 18, 10 -12. Dennis and anyone strong will work on the compost project. Nancy will be supervising clean up and division of sedum, day lilies, etc. as time permits. Some of the Cub and Girl Scouts may be present. We will have a demonstration at 12 on newspaper layering to control weeds and stop soil compaction.

Newspaper Layering will be demonstrated also on April 25 at 12. On both the 18th and 25th we will discuss the future of the Children's Garden under different coordinators. A possibility would be East New York Farms. We have been coordinating for almost 20 years, and will step down in 2011.

PARTNERSHIP FOR PARKS has Volunteer Permits. At this time all returning gardeners should have new permits. If not, please fill in applications and return to Nancy. You must have a volunteer permit to garden! There is no cost for permit. Children 14 & older must have permit.

Upcoming events:

Urban Park Rangers, Tuesday, April 14, 11 -1, Kids learn about nature and have fun in "The Secret Garden." Free. Gardeners please be advised not to garden that day, but come out and enjoy the activities.